Ecotoxicology is the scientific discipline that studies the fate and effects of chemical, physical, and biological stressors on organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems in the environment. It integrates toxicology, ecology, environmental chemistry, and risk assessment to quantify exposure, dose–response relationships, and adverse outcome pathways under realistic environmental conditions. Ecotoxicology addresses contaminant transport, transformation, bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification across trophic levels, and evaluates sublethal endpoints such as endocrine disruption, behavioral changes, and reproductive impairment. The field underpins environmental quality criteria, ecological risk assessment, and regulatory decision-making for pollutants including pesticides, metals, pharmaceuticals, and emerging contaminants.
A new paper in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry finds that common medications used for flea and tick control in dogs and cats may pose a significant environmental risk for insects in the wild.
Ecology
Jan 14, 2026
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28
Environmentalists are suing the federal government over what they say is a failure to protect the horseshoe crab, a prehistoric-looking species that is important to the survival of shore birds in South Carolina and other ...
Plants & Animals
Jan 6, 2026
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90
For decades, EU chemical regulation has struggled with slow approvals, high costs, and ecological surprises. From delayed bans on neonicotinoids to the ongoing decline of pollinators, the current framework often reacts too ...
Environment
Jan 5, 2026
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18
Seabirds in one of the remotest parts of the planet are being exposed to a wide range of forever chemicals, scientists have discovered.
Environment
Dec 16, 2025
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18
The discharge and prevalence of psychoactive drugs in surface waters has raised concerns about potential risks to ecosystems and public health. Yet there is limited information on the ecotoxicity of these compounds in marine ...
Ecology
Dec 9, 2025
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20
New research has found that the levels of toxic industrial chemicals, which were banned more than 40 years ago, are rising in otters in Wales.
Plants & Animals
Dec 1, 2025
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12
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) begin to accumulate in the tissues of mammals already during the fetal stage, according to new research from the University of Oulu, Finland. The animal-model study found that environmental ...
Environment
Nov 26, 2025
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24
PFAS—short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—are currently the subject of numerous discussions and legislative proposals. Many of these so-called "forever chemicals" are harmful to human health and the environment. ...
Environment
Nov 18, 2025
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29
A paper published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, finds high quantities of toxic "forever" chemicals in sea otters recovered off the Pacific Ocean. The paper is titled "Concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl ...
Environment
Nov 4, 2025
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189
The antimicrobial triclosan is widely used in personal hygiene products, textiles and plastics, but when it enters the environment via wastewater, it poses a significant threat to aquatic organisms.
Nanomaterials
Oct 23, 2025
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82
